Local Briefs - INDIANA

February 06, 2008|STAFF REPORTS

SOUTH BEND8-year-old girl foils abduction attempt An 8-year-old girl fought off a man in a car who tried to abduct her as she was walking near Monroe Primary Center, 312 E. Donmoyer Ave., city police said. The incident occurred about 8:30 a.m. Monday, police said. The girl told officers that a man in a gray, midsize, four-door sedan pulled up beside her, opened the door and grabbed her arm. The girl kicked the man and broke free before the man drove away, police said. Anyone who has information on the incident may call South Bend police at (574) 235-9263 or Crime Stoppers at (574) 288-STOP. SOUTH BENDDelayed request from sheriff approved The St. Joseph County Commissioners agreed to a travel request from Sheriff Frank Canarecci on Tuesday, a week after the matter was put on hold. Commissioner Steve Ross, D-2nd, objected to the request at the board's Jan. 29 meeting. At the time, he said, the sheriff had failed to produce records showing how certain funds were being spent. But the report containing those numbers wasn't due until the end of the month, Canarecci said. The sheriff's office had asked for $1,398 to attend a February conference in Indianapolis. The report was turned in Jan. 30, and on Tuesday, commissioners approved the request. SOUTH BENDFund set up to benefit slain woman's kids A fund has been established to provided for the education of the late Jennifer Bishop's children, officials announced Tuesday. The 34-year-old South Bend woman was killed Saturday during a shooting at a Lane Bryant clothing store in Tinley Park, Ill., police said. Survivors include her husband, Brian, and three children -- Jacob, Joci and A.J. In lieu of flowers, Bishop's family requests that contributions be made to the Bishop Children's Education Fund at 1st Source Bank. ROCHESTERViral pneumonia killed girl, coroner rules The Fulton County coroner has ruled that a 14-year-old Rochester girl died of viral pneumonia last week. The results of an autopsy performed Friday indicate 14-year-old Kayleigh Parker succumbed to the disease in her home, according the coroner. A Rochester Middle School eighth-grader, she was found by her parents, Tom and Patricia Parker of Rochester, in her bed after being allowed to stay home from school Wednesday. Funeral services were Saturday. ELKHARTOfficer on leave while charges investigated An Elkhart probationary police officer has been put on administrative leave with pay while police investigate domestic violence and cruelty to animal charges filed against him. Probationary Patrolman Tristan Miller was put on leave Monday, according to a news release from the department. Assistant Chief Tim Balyeat said the department's homicide unit, which investigates all high profile crimes, is investigating. Balyeat said the person and animal that are the victims were not hospitalized. He said no other details will be released until the investigation is complete.